Author Archives: Chris Barry

About Chris Barry

I am a transplant surgeon, researcher, entrepreneur, and champion of organ donation awareness. I am particularly interested in liver cancer genomics, fatty liver disease, and saving lives through transplant and organ donation awareness.

Deceased Donor Transplantation in Kerala: An Interview with Dr. Barry

Q:  The deceased donor organ donation programme in India/Kerala is in a very nascent stage and obviously, a transplant scenario like the one in the US does not seem even remotely possible in the near future. How do you think … Continue reading

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The Vital Roles of Nursing in Transplant’s Success

A successful deceased donor transplant program entails many elements, but perhaps one of the most vital elements is a well informed and dedicated nursing staff. Transplant nursing expertise must be present on many levels, from the ICU to the Operating … Continue reading

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Starting a Deceased Donor Liver Transplant Program in India: No Easy Task

I finally made it to Jaipur, Rajasthan to begin my task of starting a deceased donor liver transplant program in the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Government Hospital. The State Government, led by Chief Health Minister Rajindra Rathore and Health Secretary … Continue reading

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Congratulations Mr. Modi and Dr. Harsh Vardhan for Your Progress on NOTTO

Dear Esteemed Prime Minister Modi and Minister of Health Dr. Harsh Vardhan: It’s been two years since the Indian Government announced the creation of the National Organ and Tissue Organization (NOTTO) for sharing of deceased donor organs for transplant all … Continue reading

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Paruvathamalai

Paruvathamalai is a Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu built 2,000 years ago on top of a mountain 3,500 feet above sea level. My friend Jango hadn’t been there but he wanted to go with his friends and invited me along. … Continue reading

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Living Donor Liver Surgery Risks in India: How Can They Be Known?

What is the risk of undergoing a living donor hepatectomy (removal of a segment of liver for transplant) in India? No one knows. India has no centralized repository of transplant donor and recipient information, so it is difficult to say … Continue reading

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Doctors’ Reluctance to Declare Brain Death in India

We are working at the MOHAN Foundation to promote deceased donor transplant and organ donation in India. In doing so, we find that the biggest barrier to increasing this activity is not the public’s perception of organ donation (although this … Continue reading

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What Will It Cost to Build and Maintain an Indian National Deceased Donor Transplant Network?

The short answer to this question is that it’s going to cost a bomb. India must (and can) build a National Deceased Donor Transplant Program, including a National Transplant Database and Network for organ sharing. Why? Because hundreds of thousands … Continue reading

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Healthy Lifestyles for Healthy Organs

I would like to thank the Madurai Rotary Club for inviting me to speak this evening. I am Christopher Barry and I am a liver and kidney transplant surgeon from Rochester, New York, currently serving a one year sabbatical as … Continue reading

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End of Life Care in India: An Impediment to Organ Donation?

End of life care is a new concept in India. Unlike Western countries where physicians routinely counsel families regarding end of life care, do not resuscitate (“DNR”) orders, and compassionate withdraw of care, these concepts remain controversial and confusing for … Continue reading

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